What To Do About The GPU Shortage? Suggested Solutions

We Discuss The Graphics Card Shortage Gripping The Globe: Its Causes And What You Should Do If You’re Looking To Pick Up A GPU

Sebastian Kozlowski

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Akademos

Dec 7, 2021 at 12:52 pm

This GPU shortage is surely a strain for limited budgets and when we are expecting MSRP (remember in ancients times when we could have the choice between a few discounted brand new GPUs ?).

For my part, I needed to upgrade my GPU as I wasn’t following the late releases anymore. Being discouraged by the prices, I went on the second hand market and bought a used gaming laptop MOBO that fitted my aging one as well a new, compatible and more effective heat sink. The result turns out great and it’ll make me wait a year or two this global shortage fades away.
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Jasonb

Aug 4, 2021 at 7:54 pm

Around 2022 proof of stake on Ethereum goes into effect should kill all gpu demand. Fingers crossed that we get msrp cards mid 2022!
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Kiscix

Jul 21, 2021 at 8:08 am

Honestly, most of the previous generation GPU’s will cost around the same as the scalped 30 series of similar benchmark comparison, the market is so disgusting. Trying to finish my sons build with a 3060 TI and I’m left having to possibly buy a 1660 super only because I’m not about to pay double MSRP or even triple for a 30 or even a 20 series. I could afford to pay the $900 ebay 3060 TI but honestly I don’t want to give these low lifes my money.
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Albireo

Mar 9, 2021 at 5:44 pm

I think the real issue is there is little incentive for resellers to deter bots and scalpers. In the end, the reseller is making bank regardless of who’s buying the products. It is highly unfortunate for the consumer and extremely discouraging. This may be a situation where government needs to step in to protect the consumer and lay down some laws. And, the use of vast amounts of computing resources to mathematically calculate something that has no innate value is beyond incomprehensible. It is the definition of insanity. IMHO.
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JB

Dec 12, 2020 at 4:59 pm

I’m upset that I can’t buy an older card. I’ve been comparing my current rx 390s to the 590s and they show an 8% increase in benchmark!?!? Two generations for 8% and they still want $250 a card? I’m not spending another $500 for 16% yield increase. I’d rather drop $1500 on the AMD 6900s and have them last me 6 years, currently showing a 200+% performance increase. AMD’s cards after the rx 390 is just rolling version numbers for dollars with no real gains.
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Parker

Dec 2, 2020 at 5:08 pm

My dad bought a 1060 when it came out, he says he has no problems running ultra settings on any game without lag. Its nothing compared to the 2080 or 3080 today but still not bad at all.
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- bem
  
  Mar 24, 2021 at 4:22 pm
  
  iam running a 1080 with a i7 8700 and i already had 6 games that dont run well on ultra. and by that i mean, that they drop below 40fps on occasion and dont stick to 60fps permanently. it always depends on what you want and expect. you can still go around with a 960, if your willing to reduduce details to minimum, or play at 720p or with 30 fps or below. so by definition, i can still do the job.
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Squall

Nov 30, 2020 at 12:03 pm

GPU mining hasn’t been profitable for a while now. The current shortage has literally nothing to do with cryptocurrency.
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- JB
  
  Dec 12, 2020 at 5:00 pm
  
  What is the driver then? Just pent up demand for decent cards?
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- KIngRizen
  
  Dec 29, 2020 at 9:48 pm
  
  Agreed. If you bought these GPU for crypto mining you wont get your money back for a few years. The shortage is due to high demand and little to no stock of the items. Im sure they are trying to get them out fast, but they screwed the pooch with all the bot buying etc… ruining it for the people who actually want to use them.
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- SMM
  
  Feb 7, 2021 at 2:53 pm
  
  GPU mining isn’t profitable for Bitcoin, but people are making good money with Ethereum right now. 1 Ether is currently selling for $1600+ A single card can make a few bucks a day. At MSRP it will pay for itself in a few months after that minus electricity cost it’s all profit. Multiply that by 8 or 10 cards and you’re making as much as many do at their full time jobs.
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- Ron
  
  Mar 18, 2021 at 3:30 am
  
  Then what is causing it exactly? Care to explain?
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Paul Aroloye

Feb 12, 2018 at 10:28 pm

I am personally always conscious of GPUs and how fast they go out of fashion. You can buy a GTX 1060 today and would have difficulties playing the latest AAA PC games in high/ultra settings.
Fast forward 1-2 years, your GPU is dead meaning you can only play at low/medium settings.
Then you have to spend more money again to buy one of the latest GEN GPUs so you can meet up and play games at the desirable quality.
I feel it’s a never-ending struggle, so I opted out of PC Gaming.
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- Parker
  
  Dec 2, 2020 at 5:07 pm
  
  My dad bought a 1060 when it came out, he says he has no problems running ultra settings on any game without lag. Its nothing compared to the 2080 or 3080 today but still not bad at all.
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  - fatkid
    
    Feb 15, 2021 at 8:40 pm
    
    My dad said he could beat your dad up.
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- KingRizen
  
  Dec 29, 2020 at 9:54 pm
  
  Any game that is cross platform will always run better faster and cleaner on a PC vs Console. Now getting in the trap of needing 8k @120 fps when there is a handful of games that can use it is the problem of the rich, and shouldnt be your priority. These new cards are 100’s of dollars cheaper MSRP then the previous cards 2060, 2070 etc..
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What To Do About The GPU Shortage? Suggested Solutions

The Author Who Worked On This Article

Sebastian Kozlowski

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